Circuit controller



Dec. 27, 1927.

J. M. JOHNSON CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Filed Oct. 17. 1921 I Wibless:

INVENTOR I John EJ070150 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. JOHN M. iormsoiv, or KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, assrc n'on o THE UNITED STATES AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM COMPANY, a CORBORATION or MISSOURI.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

Application filed October 17, 1921. Serial No.'508,257l

My invention relates to circuit controllers and consists of novel means which can be used to advantage for either opening "or closing electric circuits of difierent descriptions.

In the accompanying drawings, 1' have shown the device arranged to be actuated by the valve of a sprinkler system, so that in case said valve should. be closed surreptitiously to shut off the Water supply, my

device will cause an alarm to be automatically turned in.

The electric circuit may be a local one, or it may be extended to headquarters as shown in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a valve partly in section with my device connected thereto.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device removed from its case.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation partly in section of the device.

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross section taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Referring now in detail to the various parts, 2 designates the supply pipe of a sprinkler system.

7 designates circuit wires which are con nected to a pair of contac s Spaced apart and constituting a portion of the circuit controller.

The supply pipe 2 of the sprinkler system is equipped with a valve 10 having an elongated stem 12 equipped with a hand wheel 14, which is threaded uponsaid'stern 12 and adapted to move the same longitudie nally in either direction to open or close the valve. p a

16 designates a protective case in which my circuit controller is mounted, said case being secured to thevalve 10 by a yoke 18.

Thecase 16 has an opening 17 at one end to admit the threaded valve stem 12, as shown which "a conductor 26 is fixedly mounted. The outer portionsof the "insulator 24 and theconductor26 are of the same diameter 111' or'der'to sllde between the contacts 8 to alternately open and close the circuit 7, as

will hereinafter appear.

end of the frame 20 and the transverse member 28 to move said plunger 30 and the rod 22 to the left as disclosed by Figs. 2 and 3.

The plunger 30 is provided at one end with a fixedly-mounted, depending member 34, the lower end of which is arranged in the path of the valve stem 12, so that when said stem is moved-to the right, Fig. 1, to open the valve 10, said stem 12 will engage and move the depending member 3 1 to the right and cause it, through the intervening connections, to move the conductor 26 into engagement with the contacts 8 to hold the circuit 7 closed.

With the parts constructed and arranged as shown and described it is apparent that should the valve 10 be closed and thus render the sprinkler system inoperative for lack of water, the stem 12 will move to the left in closing the valve and away from the member 3%, thus allowing the spring 32 to act and interrupt the circuit by moving the insulator 2 1- between the contacts 8.

From'the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings it is apparent that I have provided a circuit controller which is well adapted for use in connection with sprinkler systems. However, I do not wish to be understood as restricting myself to this particular use, but reserve the right to use the invention wherever it may be employed to advantage, and I reserve the right to make such other changes in the con- FitllliitiOH, combination and arrangement of parts as properly fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is?

1. In combination With a valve having a movable stem projecting therefrom, a case supported by said valve and into which the movable valve stem extends, contacts spaced apart Within said case, a conductor arranged to engage and disengage said. contacts, a plunger enclosed within the case for actuating said conductor, an arm arranged to abut the end of the valve-stein when the valve is open and cause the plunger to hold the conductor in engagement with the contacts, and spring means for moving the plunger in a direction to cause the conductor to pass out of engagement with the contacts when the valve is closed.

2. In combination with a valve having a movable stem projecting therefrom, a case supported by said valve and into which the movable valve stem extends, contacts spaced apart within said case, a conductor arranged to engage and disengage said contacts. a plunger 'i'or actuating said i-(nlductor, a member arranged to abut the 0nd of the valve-stein when the valve is open and fixed to the plunger to cause the same to hold the conductor in engagen'ient with the contacts, spring means for moving the plunger in a direction to cause the conductor to pass out ol migagenient with the contacts when the valve is closed, and a circuit connected to the contat In te'stiinon whereof alfix iny signature.

JOHN M. JOHNSON. 

